The Karnataka Bank stock has gone from Rs 90 to Rs 145 in a few weeks, ever since news reports suggested that ICICI Bank has put in an application with the RBI seeking its approval to acquire the bank. The Karnataka Bank management denied it back then, and has denied the news today too. P. Jayarama Bhat, MD and CEO, instead talks about improved business fundamentals and growth in assets as the trigger for the recent stock appreciation.